Anyone else disappointed with the EVH 5150 III 100 watt?

[johnnyb5153]

I got mine last weekend, don’t get me wrong it’s a great sounding rock amp. Not very metal though, where’s all the gain the reviews were raving about? My Marshall 80 watt solid state has more gain and it also has a level for the FX loop. That’s another complaint!

I guess I need some advice as to what I should use to get some good distortion happening with the 5150, any advice? I have the ZW overdrive and that doesn’t sound great with this amp. I was thinking maybe the TC Rottweiler or something like that. Any advice?

 

[Random Hero]

Brilliant thread.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Boss Metal Zone is what you need.

 

[hellaboogie]

I have the 100 watt and for me channel 3 has a ton of gain, might want to check your preamp tube make sure you don't have a bad one

 

[mniel8195]

you are the only person i have ever heard saying this head does not have enough gain. Maybe i ch. 2 but ch.3 has a shit ton of gain! Maybe you need a boost to tighten things up and fill it in a bit.

 

[Heritage Softail]

It must have a bad tube.

 

[d1469d]

I only have my gain set on 4.5 on channel three.Drive the front of it with a boss super overdrive pedal. Lots of gain and effortless pinch harmonics. I switched some preamp tubes out which lowered the gain and volume in some positions. It was a 12at7 I believe. I put all the original 12ax7"s back in after experimenting. Did you purchase the amp used? Are you getting good volume out of the amp? Perhaps it was damaged internally in shipping. I really like my 5153 and have no complaints.

 

[johnnyb5153]

Honestly I don't think there's anything wrong with the amp other than
Higher expectations for an EVH branded head, just thought it was
Going to be great, instead of just ok. The FX loop not having a way
To adjust the level seems like a no brainer. My bad for not noticing
Before I purchased. Compairing this head to a Mesa it doesn't even
Show up to the party. I have a feeling I'll be selling or trading in the
Near future. I should have bought a splawn when I had the chance.

51-49 and a half

 

[angelspade]

I have to assume that maybe this is a troll thread? (sorry if it isn't)....I have owned at least 15 "high" gain heads, and I find it inconceivable that one would find that the EVH 5150 III is "light" on gain or distortion. I understand if it just doesn't suit you...But not enough gain? I believe that that head has 5 gain stages...

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

Honestly I don't think there's anything wrong with the amp other than
Higher expectations for an EVH branded head, just thought it was
Going to be great, instead of just ok. The FX loop not having a way
To adjust the level seems like a no brainer. My bad for not noticing
Before I purchased. Compairing this head to a Mesa it doesn't even
Show up to the party. I have a feeling I'll be selling or trading in the
Near future. I should have bought a splawn when I had the chance.

51-49 and a half

If you think the 5153 doesn't have enough gain, then the Splawn will sound like a Twin Reverb to you.

 

[Code001]

Yeah, I agree. Just like yours, mine's not that metal. I can only seem to get 80s cock rock tones out of it:

https://soundcloud.com/code001/capariso ... nger-death

 

[vultures]

This thread is a disappointment and a blight on these great forums. Trek back to HC wherest thou belongs, this place has no patience for your drudgery.

 

[the4thlast1]

This thread must be a joke

 

[gibson5413]

Buy 5 Marshall 80 watt solid state amps and daisy chain them together. You would be better off.

Seriously, if you aren't getting enough gain from that amp, you're doing it wrong. No offense, but all 2 of your posts scream credibility.

 

[johnnyb5153]

Sorry didn't mean to offend anyone, I thought this was forum
To get answers on guitar rigs. The 5150 III is disappointing, gets
Good rock tones, but is serously lacking gain in channel 3. I was
Searching to see if anyone had any suggestions on getting more
Gain from this head, not ridicule. If you think this head has enough
Gain more power to you, I think this was a lot of hype.

 

[sahlomonic]

I think you should start by checking tubes. If you think it doesn't have enough gain, something may be wrong in the signal chain.

Sevendust's John Connolly uses the 5150 III (Clint sometimes too) and I don't think you'll hear him complain about lack of gain . . .

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Well it only has 8 preamp tubes.

Cheap bastards should have put 9 in there!

 

[bwgintegra]

I think the 5153 sounds great and has tons of gain on ch 3. I never set mine past noon, my biggest complaint with these amps is the build quality. I defiantly think something is wrong with your amp. Start with the preamps tubes, if you got an extra swap out one at a time.

 

[TrueTone500]

I got mine last weekend, don’t get me wrong it’s a great sounding rock amp. Not very metal though, where’s all the gain the reviews were raving about? My Marshall 80 watt solid state has more gain and it also has a level for the FX loop. That’s another complaint!

I guess I need some advice as to what I should use to get some good distortion happening with the 5150, any advice? I have the ZW overdrive and that doesn’t sound great with this amp. I was thinking maybe the TC Rottweiler or something like that. Any advice?

What amp were you playing prior to the EVH? What are some of the bands you listen to?

 

[rlord1974]

Something's wrong with your amp.

Channel 3 should have more gain than Sally Struthers at an all-day ice cream buffet.